Past are three summers since she first beheldThe ocean; all around the child awaitSome exclamation of amazement here.She coldly said, her long-lasht eyes abased,Is this the mighty ocean? is this all?That wondrous soul Charoba once possest,Capacious, then, as earth or heaven could hold,Soul discontented with capacity,Is gone (I fear) forever. Need I sayShe was enchanted by the wicked spellsOf Gebir, whom with lust of power inflamedThe western winds have landed on our coast?I since have watcht her in lone retreat,Have heard her sigh and soften out the name.1

ATTRIBUTION:

vBook ii. (1798).

Note 1.These lines were specially singled out for admiration by Shelley, Humphrey Davy, Scott, and many remarkable men.Forster: Life of Landor, vol. i. p. 95. [back]